Ohio Advances on $2.5M Purchase of Hara Arena Site for New State Mental Health Hospital

KEY POINTS

• Ohio plans to acquire the former Hara Arena site for $2.5 million to build a 285,000-square-foot state-run psychiatric hospital in the Dayton region.

• The $275 million Miami Valley Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is expected to create construction and healthcare jobs, generate $2–3 million in annual tax revenue, and spur regional economic growth.

• The Ohio Controlling Board will review the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ funding request on Nov. 10 to finalize the acquisition and move forward with planning.

The state of Ohio is preparing to acquire the former Hara Arena property for $2.5 million, paving the way for a behavioral health construction project that would bring a new state-run psychiatric hospital to the Dayton region.  

Meeting the Growing Demand for Mental Health Services

Officials from the Department of Behavioral Health emphasized the need for the facility, stating, “Ohio’s six state-operated regional behavioral healthcare hospitals are operating at near full capacity, with ongoing demand for inpatient services.”

Designing a Modern, Secure Mental Health Facility

Developers have proposed a 285,000 square-foot facility that includes secure inpatient units, clinical areas, administrative offices, maintenance support, and both indoor and outdoor recreation amenities.

Once operational, the facility will house roughly 208 patient beds and employ hundreds of mental health professionals. Design specifications emphasize patient and staff safety, citing a “secure building envelope” built from durable, tamper-resistant materials suited for patient care.  

Local Opposition

In a press release, the City of Trotwood acknowledged the importance of addressing mental health and expanding access to quality services in the region. However, it opposes the construction of a state mental health facility at the former Hara Arena site.

The city believes a more suitable location can be identified in collaboration with state and regional partners, one that offers better access to resources and a safer, more supportive environment for those seeking care.

Hara Arena closed in 2016 after nearly six decades of hosting sports and music events in Trotwood, Ohio. It was damaged by a tornado, as seen in this 2019 image. Image: Shutterstock

The Legacy of Hara Arena

Hara Arena was a 5,500-seat multi-purpose venue located in Trotwood, Ohio, and partially in Harrison Township. Originally opened as a ballroom in 1957, it expanded into an arena in 1964 and eventually developed into a six-building complex, closing in August 2016.

It hosted numerous sports teams, including the Dayton Jets, Dayton Gems, and Dayton Dynamo, as well as events like professional wrestling and a 1993 Nirvana concert.

What’s Next

The Ohio Controlling Board will review a funding proposal from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services on November 10, setting the stage for the nonresidential project to move forward.

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